CHAPTER 693: CHAPTER 689: GREEDY THING (THIRD UPDATE)

Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt that something was off with Liu Zian.

Logically speaking, Liu Zian’s visit to Er Gui Village was a bit inexplicable.

It seemed like he was just here for show, and Mu Shuangshuang hadn’t noticed he had any particular agenda.

"Liu Zian, if there’s something you want to say, just say it directly. Don’t beat around the bush; it makes me uneasy, like there’s something up," Mu Shuangshuang said.

Liu Zian lowered his head; he was still hesitating.

To be honest, Shuangshuang was really the best girl he’d ever met.

Whether it’s her character, the things she’s said, or the things she’s done, she doesn’t seem like someone who’s never seen the world.

On the contrary, the feeling she gave Liu Zian was that Shuangshuang had a broad perspective, not at all inferior to those official’s daughters.

Thinking of these things, Liu Zian finally had the courage to ask, "Shuangshuang, if someone told you that he likes you and thinks you’re great, how would you react?"

"Haha, like me? You mean Fengzi? Of course, I’d acknowledge his feelings because I’m already pretty great!"

Mu Shuangshuang laughed brazenly, but this smile was the most glaring in Liu Zian’s eyes.

Liu Zian felt a sharp pain in his chest; his face turned pale in an instant, looking completely powerless.

"Liu Zian, are you alright?" Mu Shuangshuang noticed something was wrong with Liu Zian and asked in a low voice.

"I’m fine, just feeling uncomfortable..." Liu Zian replied.

"Ah, could it be that you’ve walked too much and hurt yourself? I’ll go call Fengzi to carry you back!"

Without waiting for Liu Zian to speak, Mu Shuangshuang dashed off toward Lu Yuanfeng’s direction.

Liu Zian wanted to speak up to stop her, but she’d already run out of sight.

He kept staring in the direction Shuangshuang left, reluctant to even blink.

After a while, Mu Shuangshuang returned with Lu Yuanfeng.

"Fengzi, hurry..." Mu Shuangshuang’s voice gradually approached.

Liu Zian got up from the ground and smiled at the two, "I’m really alright, just tired! Sorry for making Fengzi come back especially; you guys go ahead with your business, don’t let me delay you."

"It’s alright, Zian, we’ll still take you back. Shuangshuang and I discussed that the leftover venison can be turned into jerky and given as gifts when visiting friends and family later."

Liu Zian felt increasingly guilty.

But the more he felt this way, the more weak he became, and it was only with Lu Yuanfeng’s help that he was able to get up.

"Fengzi, you help Liu Zian get to the village; if it’s really not possible, carry him. I’ll watch over things here and slowly push them back."

Mu Shuangshuang had pushed the wheelbarrow many times before, so Lu Yuanfeng felt confident in letting her do it.

The only worry was fearing she might exhaust herself.

Walking and stopping intermittently, by the time they reached the village, the sun had already set.

They just got to the third branch’s courtyard door and saw Xue Zheng standing there, looking around. He relaxed when he saw Mu Shuangshuang.

Over these few days, Xue Zheng had improved a lot compared to how he was before.

He would follow Yuanbao and the others around to play and occasionally say a word or two.

Mu Shuangshuang could also leave him for a short period now.

Today, Mu Shuangshuang left after he fell asleep; otherwise, she might have had to take him along.

When he woke up, Xue Zheng didn’t make a fuss; instead, he just stood at the courtyard gate, refusing to play with Yuanbao no matter what tricks Yuanbao tried.

Entering the courtyard, Lu Yuanfeng helped Liu Zian to rest on Mu Dashan’s kang.

Then he went off to invite Zhang Huai Shu.

Yuanbao started talking to Mu Shuangshuang about this and complained, "Sister Shuangshuang, I think Brother Xiao Zheng doesn’t like us. I tried to tease him for so long, but he ignored me!"

"Who says that? Why wouldn’t your Brother Xiao Zheng like you? If he didn’t like you, would he give you his little quilt? Let you on his kang? You have to know, your Brother Xiao Zheng doesn’t allow others on his kang."

Mu Shuangshuang patiently explained to Yuanbao that Xue Zheng was really good to Yuanbao and the other kids. Despite being quiet, his actions showed that he was willing to interact with them.

"Then why doesn’t he pay attention to me?"

Yuanbao was still puzzled.

"It’s very simple; everyone has a different personality. You’re lively and can’t sit still and have to talk. Little Zhi’s personality is similar to yours, but she can sit still and doesn’t talk as much.

As for Xiao Han, when he’s not studying, he can go play with you, but once he has to study, will he still pay attention to you?"

Yuanbao shook his head.

"See? Your Brother Xiao Zheng has a reserved personality; he likes quiet environments and doesn’t talk much. His personality resembles Xiao Han’s when he is studying; with that in mind, do you still think he doesn’t like you?"

Yuanbao shook his head again.

"I get it now, Sister Shuangshuang. I won’t say anything bad about Brother Xiao Zheng anymore; I’m going to go watch the rabbits with him!"

Last time, Lu Yuanfeng caught some rabbits—a whole litter—and made a rabbit den next to Mu Shuangshuang’s house in the room where they stored hay and miscellaneous items.

Initially, the little ones liked them and would feed the rabbits some vegetables every day.

But after a while, they found it boring.

Besides, they had Little Black and Lai Mi at home, so the litter of rabbits didn’t get as much attention, but Xue Zheng stuck with it.

Early, midday, and evenings, every meal, even before eating for himself, wouldn’t miss feeding the rabbits.

Basically, he’d go see the rabbits whenever he had time.

As soon as Mu Shuangshuang came back, he went to see the rabbits again.

"I’m going too!"

Mu Shuangshuang followed behind Yuanbao to the rabbit den.

Xue Zheng was gazing intently at the rabbits, a subtle smile on his lips.

Mu Shuangshuang arrived, but he didn’t notice. It was only when Yuanbao spoke that he turned around.

"Brother Xiao Zheng, did you give names to the little rabbits? Little Black and Lai Mi both have names."

Yuanbao assumed the rabbits were also Xue Zheng’s, so naturally, he would let him name them.

Xue Zheng shook his head and looked at Mu Shuangshuang, wanting to ask her opinion.

"Xiao Zheng, Yuanbao is right; you should name the little rabbits. That way, you can call them by their names later, just like Little Black."

Mu Shuangshuang shouted loudly, and Little Black from her house immediately rushed out, Mu Shuangshuang waved a copper coin in front of Little Black.

Little Black immediately raised its paws and saluted in a fawning manner.

A copper coin tossed to the ground, and Little Black grabbed it with its mouth and was gone.

Xue Zheng watched in amazement.

Ever since he came to Mu Shuangshuang’s house, he hadn’t noticed Little Black; he only knew that before every meal, Little Zhi fed Little Black and Little Black Dog Lai Mi.

"Back then, your Second Uncle wanted to buy my Little Black for fifty taels, but I didn’t sell it. It’s very intelligent.

If you name the little rabbits, perhaps they can be like Little Black, keeping you company, talking to you about what’s in your heart!"

Mu Shuangshuang gently guided Xue Zheng to speak more.

Once he got used to it, Xue Zheng’s condition would improve!